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Page 472
her men. You know what comes of that. What one suggests, the other says is too dangerous or not daring enough. Each wishes to be chief, and nothing but ill will ensues. Meanwhile, the real business lies languishing. I am sure Alinor goes to keep the peace, not to storm the walls."
The anger faded out of Salisbury's face, to be replaced by a kind of pitying concern. "Yes, it is true, and Pembroke, to whom she would have gone, is in Ireland. But why did she not come to me?" he cried.
"Because she did not wish to bring trouble upon you, William. John does not love Ian or Lady Alinor. She would never ask you to do what the king would disapprove."
Salisbury stood for a little while staring past his wife, pounding a fist into his open palm. Finally, he looked directly at Ela. "He saved my life, Ela, andand I owe him a great debt forfor other favors."
The color had bleached from her husband's face suddenly. Ela had no time to be hurt by the oblique reference to the fact that Ian had taken Geoffrey after she refused him. She was struck at the same time with the realization that Geoffrey was with Ian and would doubtless suffer, or had suffered, the same fate as his master. She got slowly to her feet, clinging to the chair.
"Geoffrey is with him," she whispered. "Go! You must go at once, William. Oh God, if harm has befallen the child, I will never forgive myself, never. You will never be able to curse me worse than I will curse myself."
Two strides took Salisbury to his wife, and he gathered her into his arms. "Do not be a fool, Ela. Geoffrey would be in service now even ifif things had been different in the beginning. Whatever has happened, it is no fault of yours. And I could never curse you for any reason. Do not make yourself ill over this."
"Thank you, beloved," Ela whispered, "but go now.

 
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